Greg Hinz On Politics

Big Dem consultants clash; Topinka goes to the dogs

Two of Illinois' bigger Democratic consultants have opposing horses in a congressional race. And Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka goes to the dogs — sort of.

Top Democratic political consultants Eric Adelstein and Pete Giangreco have been buddies forever, working on President Barack Obama's 2008 election and any number of other campaigns together. But that's not stopping them from working for opposing candidates in the new 8th Congressional District.

Mr. Giangreco has been retained by veterans' affairs activist Tammy Duckworth, who hopes for a comeback in the newly created northwest suburban district after falling just short in 2006 in the old 6th District.

Mr. Adelstein is working for Raja Krishnamoorthi, who narrowly lost last year's Democratic primary for state comptroller to David Miller, whose hired guns included, um, Mr. Giangreco.

The two strategists go way back to former Cook County Board President Dick Phelan's campaign — which also involved a couple of other guys named David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel. But they opposed each other in the 5th Congressional District special election two years ago, with Mr. Adelstein working for John Fritchey and Mr. Giangreco backing eventual winner Mike Quigley.

So far, they're acting like, well, friends. But this is politics, so expect some sniping to come over who can raise the most money and who has the brighter future.

Meanwhile, Ms. Topinka "will be joined by dozens of adoptable dogs" at a press event set for Sunday to unveil her new Comptroller's Critters campaign to link pet owners with animal shelters.

Ms. Topinka owns three ex-shelter dogs herself: Jack, Nora and Bella. And while stunts like this didn't help her in her race for governor in 2006 against Rod Blagojevich, it's hard to object to helping homeless animals.

Ms. Topinka also is due to be the guest star at Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford's River North fundraiser on July 21. Perhaps the two can talk a bit more about why they apparently have backed off on their proposal to combine the two fiscal offices, saving voters money.

* * * 3:15 p.m. update -- Ms. Topinka's office says that, regardless of what's been reported elsewhere, she and Mr. Rutherford still are committed to consolidating their offices, but House Speaker Mike Madigan has held up a bill to that effect in the House.